Ibanez AT100CL-SB

Ibanez AT100CL-SB review

The Ibanez AT100CL-SB is Andy Timmons's signature model, built around a familiar ST-style outline and a specific combination of pickups and hardware. Its alder body, one-piece maple neck, and maple fingerboard make for a straightforward wood-and-hardware specification. The listed finish is Sunburst, with Cosmo Black hardware. Ibanez has offered the model since September 2009.

The layout is HSS: two DiMarzio Cruiser single-coil pickups occupy the neck and middle positions, while a DiMarzio AT1 Custom humbucker sits at the bridge. That arrangement gives the instrument three distinct pickup positions without straying from the conventional control layout implied by the design. The available specifications do not list switching options or control details, so those should be checked with the seller rather than assumed.

Neck and playing feel

The neck is one of the most positively discussed parts of the guitar in the supplied owner feedback. One player describes its unfinished maple feel, fretwork, and overall comfort in unusually favorable terms, calling it one of the best necks they have played. That is a personal assessment, not a guarantee of how every player will respond to the neck profile, but it does point to the instrument's main appeal for players who favor a direct, natural-feeling maple neck.

Ibanez specifies an AT "Prestige" neck profile, a 648 mm scale, and 22 jumbo frets. The one-piece maple neck and maple fingerboard keep the playing surface visually and materially consistent. Jumbo frets can feel different from smaller fretwire, particularly for players who use a light touch, so trying the guitar in person is useful if fret size is a deciding factor. The stated scale length is a familiar full-length format for electric guitar.

Pickup layout and bridge

The pickup set pairs two Cruiser single coils with the AT1 Custom bridge humbucker. In the owner feedback, the pickups are praised along with the neck, and the guitar is described as sounding very good. That report supports the impression of a versatile working instrument, but it does not establish specific tonal results for every amplifier, playing style, or pickup setting. Buyers should listen to the guitar through equipment similar to their own before judging its sound.

A Wilkinson by Gotoh VSVG bridge handles the tremolo function. The specifications identify it as a standard tremolo, rather than detailing its adjustment range or setup. As with any tremolo-equipped guitar, tuning stability and feel depend in part on the individual setup, string choice, and player technique. The hardware finish is Cosmo Black, providing a dark contrast against the Sunburst body.

Build, finish, and included case

The body is alder, with no separate top listed. Ibanez specifies 22 jumbo frets and a maple fingerboard, while the hardware and finish details reinforce the model's restrained, traditional appearance. One owner describes the instrument as light, though no weight is provided in the product specifications. Treat that as an individual impression rather than a published weight claim.

A Prestige case is included. The listing also confirms that a case is supplied, while no gig bag is included. For buyers comparing packages, that distinction matters: the AT100CL-SB arrives with a hard case rather than a soft bag. Its item number is 221755, and the sales unit is one instrument.

Setup deserves a close check

The most important caution in the supplied feedback concerns setup on arrival. One buyer reported receiving a guitar that was poorly adjusted, with the strings not properly intonated, and was dissatisfied with the seller's response to the complaint. That account does not prove that every AT100CL-SB will arrive in the same condition, but it is specific enough to take seriously. A new guitar can need adjustment, yet a buyer should reasonably expect a playable instrument and a clear route to support if it is not.

Before accepting delivery, confirm the seller's inspection and return terms. Once the guitar arrives, check tuning stability, intonation, string height, fret buzz, and the tremolo's operation. If the setup is off, document the issue promptly and contact the retailer. Players outside the seller's home country may also want to confirm return shipping arrangements in advance, since the dissatisfied reviewer specifically noted that living abroad made returning the instrument impractical.

Verdict

The Ibanez AT100CL-SB has a focused appeal: a maple neck and fingerboard, a useful HSS pickup arrangement, a Wilkinson by Gotoh tremolo, and a fitted Prestige case. The strongest owner praise centers on the neck, fretwork, pickups, light feel, and sound. The negative report is about the condition and customer service surrounding one delivery, not a documented flaw in the model's construction. At a listed price of 2333, buyers should verify the currency and current offer with the retailer, then give setup and return support the same attention as the guitar's specifications.